The entertainment industry is mourning documentarian Morgan Spurlock.
Spurlock, best known for his Academy Award-nominated documentary Super Size Me, in which he consumed fast food for 30 days to highlight its dangers, died on Thursday at the age of 53 from cancer.
“It was a sad day, as we said goodbye to my brother Morgan,” his brother Craig Spurlock said in a family statement. “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas and generosity. Today the world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”
After the news broke of Spurlock’s death, The Simpsons writer and executive producer Al Jean tweeted, “V v v sad to learn of the passing of Morgan Spurlock. A very talented, funny and brilliant man and a true friend to The Simpsons. A great loss.”
And Alex Gibney remarked simply, “Devastated to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, Morgan Spurlock. Requiescat in pace.”
Fellow documentarian Brett Morgen, who made Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, David Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream and the Emmy-nominated Jane Goodall doc Jane, wrote, “Morgan Spurlock achieved what most artists only dream: he actually changed the world with his art. He was an amazing father, brother, friend and one of the most important and influential filmmakers of my time. My heart breaks for his family and friends.”
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos remembered Spurlock in an Instagram story, writing in part, “Saddened to hear about the passing of director and friend Morgan Spurlock. At just 53, he had so much more to do. He was a real force in the documentary world bringing broader audiences and raising the profile of independent documentary film.”
Screenwriter Kirsten Smith added, “RIP Morgan Spurlock. A brilliant filmmaker who was incredibly kind to this fuzzy screenwriter awkwardly bounding up to him in public places many times over the years to fangirl over his work. He was a true national treasure.”
See more of how the industry is remembering Spurlock below.
Hilary Lewis contributed to this report.
